Transmitter Mitts

[StreetDragster]

Hi All,

Reading all the cold weather threads it appears some of you use transmitter mitts and some of you tried them but didn't get on with them, so i thought i'd ask some questions in one thread, thats nice and easy to search for in future.

I have large hands (Size 'L' In latex gloves), i fly a DX7, with the thumbs method.

Would a transmitter mitt be a good idea or me or not? And if so, which one?

I've read that some people have problems with the mitt rubbing their hands, clouding up, being too heavy, or just not warm enough to warrent the hassle. But i'm not sure which of these people fly in 'thumbs' mode.

And what mitts are out there for us, and what are your experiances with them? Raydiowarm is the main one i'm aware of, i've also seen the homemade one a chap on here made, and on another site i saw a chap that made more of a 'box' than a mitt from cardboard, which seemed to work.

Basically, any input on mitts from actual users of them is welcomed

Thanks

Matt

EDIT- Forgot to mention, i have tried gloves, both fingerless and fingered, thick and thin, and couldn't get on with them. Hands in pockets whilst not flying and then bare hands whilst flying is the current setup. I'm not cold anywhere other than my hands and face. Flying a nitro heli, so 10-12mins out at a time presently (Just hovering, .32 engine)

[orb]

Hands in pockets here as well but with hot gel pads,soon warm up and good to go.

Be interested in the mitts as well.

[moyesboy]

Using a transmitter mitt works.
however is not going to be the same as flying with bare hands in the open but without them getting cold. There are extra hassles to do with getting your hands in and out of it and being able to see the Tx screen. You have to be extra careful about switch positions and the throttle when you are starting.
If you are out flying with your mates all using tx mits one way is to get your mate to start the heli while you are already installed in the Tx mit ready to fly.
It is possible to feel the tx mit on the back of your hand wheile flying but that isn't necessarily a problem - but something to get used to.
I always use my tx mitt when it is cold, I simply could fly a lot of the winter without using it. Therefore I have persisted until I am used to the extra issues that arrise.

Many people have had a go in a tx mit one day and decided they couldn't get on with it. But there doesn't seem to be any other solution that works as well. Maybe down south they have more dead still winter days when you can manage to fly in the cold with bare hands or maybe those people just miss out on a lot of flying in winter!

[Si_B]

I tried one, but was concerned with how easy it is to catch a switch. Not so much a problem with my planes as the worst thing I could do is switch to dual rates, but with throttle hold and idle up switches on the top of my transmitter, it looked like an accident waiting to happen....just too awkward if you know what I mean ??

I just don't fly when it's really cold, or just get one of the planks out. Will be trying some of the hand warmers though.

Can't fly with a tray as I use my thumbs !!

Cheers,

Simon

[StreetDragster]

Cheers for all replies so far, keep them coming.

A good point about the switches, thats something i hadn't considered, probably a big plus for the home made box idea, far more rigid so theres more clearance round the switches.

Is there no such thing as a mitt with a rigid internal section for the transmitter?

[LipolyGone]

My radio warm does rub the back of my hands which is a little disconcerting.
As for catching a switch whilst putting the tx in & out or getting your hands in & out.
I dont see this a s a problem myself because my throttle hold is always set to on
when the heli isnt in the air. A practice I've adopted since day one, I even start them with the throttle hold on.
I think there is an easy fix for the rubbing of the back of the hand.
I'm going to try to fix wooden dowels to hold the ceiling of the mitt up a bit,
will report back if it's any better.
Martin

[acwman]

I just use cycling mitts. Keeps my hands warm enough to get a flight in.. and in between flying, just keep my hands in my pockets.

[David Drew]

I use a RaydioWarm. It's fine & I just have to be a little more careful with switches.

Makes a nose-scratch a bit more difficult though

David

[Ashley Davis]

the raydiowarm works but I often found my hands were numb from setting the heli up to fly......so a bit pointless having it.

[POLAR BEAR]

I dont think there is an answer to your quesion as differant people like differant things I for 1 did not get on with a radio warm and now I just dont fly in the winter its a bit of a bummer but I have bad circulation in my fingers and just cant manage with gloves on

[StreetDragster]

Cheers for all responces, it certainly sounds like its worth an investment and a try out (on the sim at least ) and see how i get on, they aren't too expensive and if it allows me to fly comfortably in the field for just two tanks of juice it will be worth the cash.
Martin i'd be interested to know how your dowel mod goes

Thanks

Matt

[POLAR BEAR]

A guy on rim ride put a pair of grommits 1 either side at the top and put a cabon rod through to stop the top sagging onto the tx.

[StreetDragster]

Great, thanks for that

Matt

[moyesboy]

Mine has a wire loop in it to keep the front up. also the neck stap keeps the front up too.
I do fly with very short sticks too (fully screwed in.std dx7 ends).

[StreetDragster]

Hi All,

Little update, Santa brought me a Raydiowarm. I have my DX7 in it now, had to cut a hole with a hot knife for the aireal, the supplied grommets don't fit, i assume they are designed for a 35mHz system.

Very happy with it, when using the supplied neckstrap and waist strap there is loads of room in it. I can get my huge hands round my transmitter and the thumbs on the sticks without any contact with the mitt. There is two rigid 'walls' that you install front/back of the mitt, this keeps it rigid and removed any risk of the switches getting flicked, and theres pockets inside for handwarms too (Which i have). So provisionally, it looks great, see how it performs in the field soon.

Screens a little difficult to see mind once installed

Thanks

Matt